The trippy, psych soundscapes that earn Minus Story comparisons to bands like the Flaming Lips crop up on the band’s worthy forthcoming LP My Ion Truss, though the far-flung outfit (based out of Kansas City, New York, Chicago) refine their mind-bending tones for track after track of emotional pop. Minus Story had producer John Congleton (Explosions In the Sky, The Polyphonic Spree) on board for this one — the first time they’ve handed the control board to someone outside the band — allowing the band to focus more on the tunes. The first track for your consideration is their best yet, the warmblooded heart-tugger “Battle Of Our Lives,” while “Stitch Me Up” takes ‘em into beefier rhythmic terrain.